We both got real jobs: now we can go to Disney! Sept 2013 PTR! TR link posted 9/29!

[blabbermouth]

We're going to overlap by a day! We'll be there from the 4th to the 11th (doesn't bother us flying that day... I hope security doesn't take TOO long though). Congrats on the real jobs for both of you And so nice that your Mom kept all your old stuff! I'll be following along

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Ahhh we had such the same childhood!! Spice girls, lisa frank! Ah! Amaazing!!

Awesome the stuff you found! How great that you found old pins! Yay! Oh man, that DHS map, I was gonna say it looked kinda weird, the way they spacing around Fantasmic and stuff goes, shows its new! Lol. I would’ve loved the Hunchback show, I was downright obsessed with Esmerelda as a child, when we went to DLR I came home with her red sparkaly dress, no princess dresses! Lol, they had a hunchback show there too!

Love the old photos!

Ahahaha, we’re definitely flying on the 11th! However I’m sure that security won’t be quite as crazy in Calgary as it would be at JFK that day, just a good idea to steer clear of it!

Okay, first off, I wish I could fly Jetblue, they sound amazing. Secondly, damn you for those insanely cheap flights! Mine won’t drop below $500, suuuucks. Two years ago we got flights for 393, and it was amazing. Secondly, bags flying free and tv on the plane sounds awesome.

I have to agree about the flying in early and leaving late, you can accomplish so much more on those days! I refuse to get in after 8pm, and of course the one trip I’m not going to the parks I get in at like, 1:30 lol.

Aha I love it, we definitely had awesome childhoods. I'd love to go back to the 90s!

The MGM map is SO strange! It's really the only one that looks majorly different (other than I mean the whole Toontown/New Fantasyland in MK deal)! OMG I LOVED ESMERELDA! I had the Barbie doll version of her and she went EVERYWHERE with me for a while. I would die if they still had the show/I could meet her in the parks.

Honestly, flying on September 11th is probably now the SAFEST day to fly! 9/11 just hit so close to home for me, literally and emotionally that every year I remember the events from 2001 so clearly that I really don't think I'd be ok mentally flying that day.

Ugh the whole flight situation is such a game! I'd so thankful that Jetblue offers pretty routinely low fares from here to Orlando or we'd really be in a mess. Jen, Rick and Presley flew from Pittsburgh in January and their flight is shorter and WAY more expensive, like I don't understand!

 

[monkey30]

I am going to follow along! Don't worry I have the same fear that I write my PTR and no one follows along, but whatever, its more fo me anyways!LOL

We will be down at the same time, Super excited to be there, and can hardly wait! only 86 more days for me!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Great deal on the flights!! JetBlue is finally coming to Philly, I can't wait to try them. I've heard great things!

Ah that's awesome! We really like flying with them!

That is SO awesome that you found all that stuff! It's always nice to take a walk down memory lane. I was a Spice Girl fanatic as well and collected those stickers too!

That's exciting that you are going to start pin trading! It is VERY addicting I think my DBF thought I was a little crazy when I told him about it, but once he saw it in action he decided to try it out and became just as into it as I was!!

And it looks like you got a great deal on flights!!

Aha the Spice Girls were so awesome when we were little!

Haha I think my DBF is going to be the same way! He likes the idea of the pins but is a little unsure of the trading part but I'm sure once he sees me doing it and how many other people are doing it, he's gonna be into it too!

Yay for memories!

I bought pins for my 2011 trip but I liked them all too much and didn't end up wearing any because I didn't want people to ask to trade. Pin trading fail.

I agree with the real world being blah after a trip. Someone needs to create a Disboards town in Florida where nobody has to work and we can just go to Disney all the time.

Everyone always talks about Jet Blue but they don't fly direct from Chicago. I'd have to fly to NYC or somewhere else first, and then to Orlando. No thanks! I'm antsy enough to get there without connections. I'm highly jealous of your under $200 airfare.

Haha that's how I've started to feel already! I've already separated a bunch out of the ones I've bought to trade that I like too much to get rid of.

Um a Disboards town in Florida sounds like the best idea I've ever heard! Let me know if you're running for office, I'll vote for you.

I don't blame you not wanting to have connecting flights. That's how I feel about Southwest. I feel like everyone always gets great deals with them but every time I've looked up their fares, they're more expensive and not direct!

Love Jetblue! We flew with them a few years from FL to NY.

Also, that time of Sept is pretty much perfect for touring WDW! Little to no crowds and the heat isn't as unbearable as July!

Jetblue has become my favorite!

Ah yay glad to hear it! We're so excited to go at a different time of year!

We're going to overlap by a day! We'll be there from the 4th to the 11th (doesn't bother us flying that day... I hope security doesn't take TOO long though). Congrats on the real jobs for both of you And so nice that your Mom kept all your old stuff! I'll be following along

Glad to have you along! I wonder if our plans will overlap at all!

Honestly, I really feel like flying on Sept 11 will be probably safer than any other day! For me, it's an emotional/mental thing from being in NYC when it all happened that won't let me fly on that day.

Thank you for the congratulations!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

I am going to follow along! Don't worry I have the same fear that I write my PTR and no one follows along, but whatever, its more fo me anyways!LOL

We will be down at the same time, Super excited to be there, and can hardly wait! only 86 more days for me!

Welcome! You're right--even if no one reads this, it is good for me to not drive everyone I know crazy talking about my plans!

I'm gonna head over to your PTR after this!

AH 88 more days for us! I can't wait either!

 

[coltink]

I'm joining in and hope to live vicariously through you until our trip in February.
I think it's a little too early to start a pre-trip for me. We can't even book yet. Boo! 232 days!

We're DINKS too and I'm hoping the significant other loves Disney enough to make repeated trips like yours.

 

[amyhschwartz]

In for the ride and excited to hear more! We're taking our very first (surprise) trip in dec!

 

[kdkdmac]

Congrats on becoming a RN! It takes a very special person to be a nurse! I hope you find your dream job soon! I chose natural childbirth for both of my kiddos (who are now 20 and 17 ... where does the time go?!?).

You are so lucky to have Jet Blue ... what a great deal! I checked fares from our airport ... over $200 each way!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

I'm joining in and hope to live vicariously through you until our trip in February.
I think it's a little too early to start a pre-trip for me. We can't even book yet. Boo! 232 days!

We're DINKS too and I'm hoping the significant other loves Disney enough to make repeated trips like yours.

Ah I know the feeling- it's so frustrating to want to plan and have to wait!

I hope so too for your sake! Before we went together the first time, we were both excited to go but I didn't know if DBF would really GET it or LOVE it and I was so glad when he did!

In for the ride and excited to hear more! We're taking our very first (surprise) trip in dec!

Ah that's so exciting! Glad to have you here

Congrats on becoming a RN! It takes a very special person to be a nurse! I hope you find your dream job soon! I chose natural childbirth for both of my kiddos (who are now 20 and 17 ... where does the time go?!?).

You are so lucky to have Jet Blue ... what a great deal! I checked fares from our airport ... over $200 each way!

Can't wait to read more!

Aw thank you so much, that's so sweet! That's so great that you chose natural childbirth! It's something I'm really passionate about and I can't wait until I have a position where I can help each woman have the birth experience she wants to have!

Ugh flights are so ridiculous these days! It can really make a trip much more expensive- especially if you're flying a whole family.

Glad you're here!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

We already went through the who, when and why of the trip, so now we're up to the what and the where!

You already know that we're going from September 10-21!

In that time, we're going to have 6-day park hoppers with WPFAM option.


Walt Disney World Gallery Photo by RN Courtney, on Flickr


Walt Disney World Gallery Photo by RN Courtney, on Flickr


Unknown by RN Courtney, on Flickr

We also have tickets for MNSSHP and are planning to attend Halloween Horror Nights at Universal!


Walt Disney World Gallery Photo by RN Courtney, on Flickr


Walt Disney World Gallery Photo by RN Courtney, on Flickr


Walt Disney World Gallery Photo by RN Courtney, on Flickr


Walt Disney World Gallery Photo by RN Courtney, on Flickr


Walt Disney World Gallery Photo by RN Courtney, on Flickr


Walt Disney World Gallery Photo by RN Courtney, on Flickr

We're excited because all of these things (the waterparks, Disneyquest, MNSSHP and HHN are new to us)! So if anyone has any tips/suggestions/anything they want to add about any of those things (or any thing in general actually ), I'm open to your thoughts!

This is also going to be our first time on the dining plan!
Unknown-1 by RN Courtney, on Flickr

It's extra exciting because it was free and I have some awesome ADRs booked that I'm totally excited about!



As far as the where goes, we'll be staying at:


Walt Disney World Gallery Photo by RN Courtney, on Flickr

This will be our 2nd time staying here and we are so excited! We considered staying elsewhere this time but deluxes were out of our budget so it was between value and moderate resorts.

For the values, it was between Pop and AoA. I really wanted to stay in a LM room but they were excluded from discounts so that was out.

For the moderates, we were considering either CBR or POFQ; CBR for the theme and POFQ for the size. In the end, it would've cost us about $200 more for a moderate because of upgrading the dining plan from quick-service to regular. We eliminated CBR because of the size and all of the issues I've read about in TRs. So we were down to the amenities of a moderate vs a value but DBF really liked Pop so I let him make the decision! I figured I decide everything else, so if he has a preference, I might as well let him make it.

So, in 83 days, we will be back here!


DSCN0049 by RN Courtney, on Flickr


DSCN0054 by RN Courtney, on Flickr


DSCN0069 by RN Courtney, on Flickr

We were in the 50s section last time but would like to try a different area this time. Does anyone know if all the 60s section are preferred rooms?

So there you have it, the basics of our trip! Next time, I'll start going into our day-by-day plans and ADRs!

 

[blabbermouth]

We'll be at Pop too, so we might just cross paths!

I think all of the 60s section is preferred, but I'm not 100% sure. We stayed in the 50s section in 2008 and really liked it. It didn't seem too far away and it was really quiet since we faced the abandoned future-AoA.

We're thinking about going to MNSSHP, but we haven't quite decided yet. The first one is our last night there!

Okay, I think I will start a PTR tonight too

 

[ILGoofy]

The fall decoration pics are making me so excited! Why do I have to wait all summer?!?!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

We'll be at Pop too, so we might just cross paths!

I think all of the 60s section is preferred, but I'm not 100% sure. We stayed in the 50s section in 2008 and really liked it. It didn't seem too far away and it was really quiet since we faced the abandoned future-AoA.

We're thinking about going to MNSSHP, but we haven't quite decided yet. The first one is our last night there!

Okay, I think I will start a PTR tonight too

Ah awesome, we'll have to keep our eyes open for each other!

We stayed in the 50s facing AoA in January and it was very nice and quiet! If we can't stay in the 60s, we'll be perfectly happy to go back to the 50s!

It sounds as though you'll be leaving as we arrive--the first MNSSHP is our arrival day! I'm excited about going but I could see how it would be rough to plan if it's your last night there!

I'm gonna head over to your PTR now!

The fall decoration pics are making me so excited! Why do I have to wait all summer?!?!

Ugh I know!! I hope the time goes quickly!

 

[missangelalexis]

Sounds so fun, especially with all the new stuff you guys will be doing this time around! Can't wait to read about the day to day plans

I'm not sure about the 60s rooms, but we stayed in the 70s section and I would recommend it! We also faced AoA/lake and it was nice and quiet, and also not too far from the main building.

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Sounds so fun, especially with all the new stuff you guys will be doing this time around! Can't wait to read about the day to day plans

I'm not sure about the 60s rooms, but we stayed in the 70s section and I would recommend it! We also faced AoA/lake and it was nice and quiet, and also not too far from the main building.

Thanks! I'm so excited!

Thank you so much for the information! I'm definitely going to consider the 70s section! I liked the idea of the 90s section because that's my childhood but I feel like it's just so far from everything-- we didn't even walk over to that side of Pop in January.

 

[lvcourtneyy]

I'm not sure how the weather is by everyone else but I sure hope it's better than here! We're in the middle of a miserable, humid 90 degree heat wave.

So, I've bought a few things recently that will be used for our trip!

The first, as some of you may have seen on Instagram, was new luggage! I got mine when I went away to college and it's seen better days now. Plus, my little sister is using it to go back and forth to school so I was in the market for a new set. I got a great deal on Overstock and am now the proud owner of a new luggage set!


IMG_0159 by RN Courtney, on Flickr

I also got a few shirts at Delias that aren't specifically for the trip but will most likely be coming along:


IMG_0612 by RN Courtney, on Flickr

This one's not officially Disney but it reminds me of Disney!

310008_blk_g-w188 by RN Courtney, on Flickr


311306_pnk_g-w188 by RN Courtney, on Flickr

I also noticed they had some really cute Disney tanks in Hot Topic so I'm keeping an eye out for them to go on sale

Also, during the week, my parents went shopping and since they know me so well, they got me princess stickers so I decorated my laptop:


IMG_0703 by RN Courtney, on Flickr

AND my favorite purchase of all:


images by RN Courtney, on Flickr
Once I knew it existed, I had to have it! It was my first nurses day as a nurse so I'm pretty excited. Plus, it's the first pin of my collection since I'm gonna start trading in September

 

[lvcourtneyy]

September 10, 2013
This will be our arrival day!!

Our flight leaves from JFK at 7:00 am and is scheduled to land at MCO at 9:48 AM!

Although it's kinda strange because in January, our flight was scheduled at 6:45 AM and the arrival time was 9:50 AM

This means we will probably be waking up between 3:30 and 4 to get to the airport by 5. We did the same in January and it really wasn't necessary because the airport wasn't too crazy that early but I like to be early instead of late. Hopefully my dad will be kind enough to drive us to the airport again!


20130103_050735 by RN Courtney, on Flickr

Just seeing this picture of the sign in the airport brings back all the memories of how excited we were to be leaving even though it was so early and we were exhausted!

So after we see this:

DSCN0039 by RN Courtney, on Flickr

We'll be landing


20130103_094555 by RN Courtney, on Flickr

and heading here:


DSCN0040 by RN Courtney, on Flickr
OMG I'm excited already!

Soon enough, we'll pull up here

DSCN0041 by RN Courtney, on Flickr
and hopefully I'll get a better picture of it and the WDW sign this trip!

It was just about 11 when we got to Pop in January, and I assume it'll be around the same time this time. Our room was ready when we got there in January so I'll do online check-in again this time and hope for the same.

If not, we will walk around and explore Pop (or maybe AoA!) for a little bit.

In January, Chris was completely passed out by 11:37 when I took this picture so if the room is ready, I assume he'll want to take a short nap while I take pictures of everything possible.

DSCN0042 by RN Courtney, on Flickr

At some point, we'll wander over to the front desk to have the water and soda we plan to order to the resort ahead of time brought to our room.

Then, we will continue tradition and go to Downtown Disney.


DSCN0079 by RN Courtney, on Flickr

I'm sure we'll be hungry by now so I'm thinking we'll either eat here


Unknown by RN Courtney, on Flickr

or here

s_downtown_disney_large by RN Courtney, on Flickr

We've never eaten at either but I've heard positive things about both of them so I'm not sure how we'll decide.

Before and after we eat, we'll be shopping of course! And we'll be making a stop in Team Mickey to pick up our Photopass+ card.

Then we'll be heading over to:

DSCN0123 by RN Courtney, on Flickr
We've never been and we're pretty excited to check it out!

At 8:25 PM, we have an ADR to eat here:

paradiso by RN Courtney, on Flickr

We've never been and I've honestly haven't read that many reviews of it but I hope it'll be good! There are some things on the menu that look like we'll really like them but Chris requested to try this restaurant and I plan about 98% of the trip so whenever he makes a specific request, I try my hardest to do it!

After we eat, we'll probably walk around a little more and then head back to Pop as we'll have already had a very long day and want a good night's sleep before our first full Disney day!

As I'm planning our trip, I'm making a list of all the new things we'd like to try to do that day so here's my list for day 1:

New Things to Do:
Explore AoA!
Disney quest
Paradiso 37
Photo Shoot by Team Mickey
Characters in Flight: $18 per person (I don't think we'll have time for this one )
Design a Tee

 

[shan23877]

Love your new luggage! So cute! And I love the Keep Calm shirt-it's perfect!

Well, you know how much my family loves EoS I'm actually thinking about getting the mac and cheese from WPE for Maddie and I while Bry goes to EoS this trip though. I really want to try WPE!

I can't wait to hear how you like Paridiso. I don't know that I've heard of anyone trying it either!

 

[missangelalexis]

Love the nurses day pin!! Your day 1 plans sound great (and similar to what my day 1 plans will be looking like!)

 

[Windsor Princesses]

Joining In!
I love your sparkle on t shirt!